Gap has announced the reopening of three standalone stores in the UK. The renowned US clothing brand is set to unveil its flagship store in Covent Garden on November 6, followed by branches in Westfield London on December 4 and Wembley Park London Designer Outlet on December 12.
According to a report by Drapers, each store will feature a variety of Gap clothing and collections. Gap first arrived in the UK in 1987 and closed its last UK store in September 2021.
Currently, Gap operates four shop-in-shop concepts within Next stores, including locations in Oxford Street, London, Braehead, Glasgow, and Trafford and Arndale shopping centers in Manchester. Additionally, Gap has over 40 concessions in Next stores across England and Ireland, with Next owning a 51% stake in the venture and Gap holding the remaining 49%. Despite closing its physical stores, Gap has maintained its online presence.
Following Gap’s announcement of store closures in 2021, the company stated plans to shut down all company-operated Gap Specialty and Gap Outlet stores in the UK and Ireland gradually from the end of August through the end of September 2021. The company assured support and transition assistance for its employees during the closure process.
In other retail news, M&S has disclosed the opening date of its new flagship store in Bristol. The supermarket will inaugurate its branch in Cabot Circus in the city center on November 13. The expansive 80,000 sq ft store will offer a range of M&S food, clothing, home, and beauty products across three floors.
Notable features of the store include an in-store bakery, fresh market items from M&S Select Farms, and a diverse selection of sandwiches, salads, and wraps. The M&S coffee shop within the store will accommodate 200 seats and offer a variety of freshly prepared breakfast items, sandwiches, and coffee beverages.
M&S’ Bristol Cabot Circus store is part of the company’s plan to open sixteen stores across the UK this financial year, including locations like Bath Southgate, as part of a significant £300 million investment in expanding its presence.